I have tried to write this post for a few days now, finding it kind of out of place. With so many people suffering right now, I felt a sort of guilt that I have the luxury to write a blog post about soup whereas for many this would be the last thing on their mind. I couldn’t find a way to fit it together without sounding forced. Usually I have an idea about what my blog post is going to be about. Here I am just typing, whatever words come out, I don’t know. Let’s hope it makes some sense.

The world has been a tumultuous place lately–revolutions, earthquakes, floods, poverty, slavery, injustice. I guess these things have always existed, maybe I just notice more now, now that I’m older and not as aloof as I used to be. I watch the news in a daze sometimes, in awe of the hate and the suffering in the world. My eyes often well up with tears and I hold them in. My husband would tease me and call me a softy. I feel safe where I am, just as people all over the world feel safe in their homes, eating meals cooked by loves ones everyday. Sometimes we are shaken, as life can throw a curve at us. It’s amazing how resilient the human spirit can be–how strong we are.

We do what we have to to get by. A mother will still look after her children even when her world is shaken. She will find a way to feed and comfort them. Eating gives us fuel, gives us a feeling of the familiar. We all have our favorite meals and sometimes when you sit down to a meal after a long hard day, you can unwind and just relish in food.

This Thai Soup is a family favorite. Usually in restaurants, it’s called Tom Yum Goong, but I couldn’t find lime leaves, galangal, and Thai Basil, so I improvised. The results were still delicious. I also added coconut milk, because something about the aroma of coconut milk soothes the soul–comfort. Chilies and spiciness are also soothing for me. We always ask for our Thai food extra spicy. Sometimes we regret it, but most times we enjoy the fiery spice. How ever you like your soup, enjoy it and take a minute or two to reflect on life and be grateful for the small things.

Next, heat a large pot on medium and heat about 1 tablespoon of oil and add the paste to the oil and mix for 3-4 minutes. Add in the chicken stock and mix the paste and chicken stock well so tat they become uniform. Taste for salt, and add salt, if necessary. Also, throw in a few extra dried red chilies into the broth, optional.

Cook until the stock boils, once the stock boils add in the coconut milk and let it come to a boil again. Add in the fish sauce and let the soup boil until you can see the oil separately.

Add in the mushrooms, pea pods, and shrimp and cook until the shrimp turns pink. Garish with the red and green chilies, cilantro, basil, limes. Serve hot.

The world is shaken right now. I feel the same way. I feel I’ve always been aware of our larger community, but I’d say lately things have really felt chaotic– suffering immense. I love your soup, Thai soups are one of my favorites

I love that salty/sour/sweet thing that Thai soups have going… it’s so refreshing and comforting at the same time. I usually go for the vegetarian version, but shrimp sounds awfully good too.
The last time I went shopping at T&T, I found little Tom Yum soup kits – little vaccum-packed pouches with just enough galangal, lime leaf, lemongrass and chiles to flavour a pot of soup. I have three sitting in my freezer right now. :)
PS – I hear you on not being able to watch the news without wanting to bawl lately. I decided to stop watching the evening news during the gulf oil crisis because it would make me too upset to sleep. :(

I’m not a fan of Thai food but I love love their tom yum soup. I’ve only ever tried it at restaurants as it’s hard to find all the ingredients for it. But glad yours turned out good without the lime leaves and galangal. Might give it a go :)

Sadly even though the world has changed and there is pain and suffering we do our bit in whatever way we can and life has to go on. That’s the great thing about comfort food, it makes everything a little bit better.

I had this daily (sometimes twice) on a two week trip to Thailand over the summer and your lovely pics have got all those yummy memories flooding back!

I have been avoiding news channels coz everytime I see the images of mishap, my heart just comes to my mouth.So so disheartening and unfortunate.And with this nuclear radiation thing, I cant imagine the quantum of crisis which people will face for years together.Nature has its way to teach lessons for the harshness we show towards it.
This soup is just my kind, brothy and heart warming.In fact I have pictures in my draft coz I was thinking to post it …but then it gets pushed on and on.I completely love Thai food, instead of chicken stock ,I use coconut milk often for more flavor..P loves it that way too.
Beautiful pictures..vibrant and colorful!!

i love thai soups and this recipe sounds so lovely! thank you for sharing this Nadia. I understand how you feel about the current situation. I am the same and it really breaks my heart just thinking about it.

I’m also a softie like you Nadia…I have teared up many times in the past months and always pray for a safer world for the next generation.
I think you know I *LOVE* soup and especially this hot & spicy tom yum…looks absolutely mouthwatering…I too love the taste & aroma of coconut milk!

It’s so sad to see people suffering with all theses natural disasters and so much unrest in some places of the world and innocent people suffering :( Lets pray that God sends some mercy to his people Ameen!

Beautiful post post nads and the soup looks scrumptious enough for me to even lick the screen lol. Btw never feel guilty about writing a post no matter how harsh the times are things like your blog bring that little ray of sunshine and hope back into anyone’s life. The whole world has been effected by the catastroph’e, some as victims and others people like ourselves who cant get over whats happened and feel guilty and helpless. We all need and deserve that little boost and the feeling of warmth that comes from reading your post and trust me your writing brings a smile to my face everytime so technically you are doing your bit of healing the world ….. :)

Your post was very heartfelt, and I share your sentiments.
I have avoided FB because it just seems so frivolous in light of everything going on…that being said, life does go on, and we have to eat… and, I do love your soup and the awesome pix.

I made a version of this and it was a big hit. Instead of blending the flavoring agents like ginger, garlic and lemon grass I strained them out before adding the shrimp and pea pods. Also, I used a chicken stock and shrimp stock I had made previously instead of just chicken stock. One other change I made was to add the lime zest but not the juice and served it with a lime wedge so each person could add it at the last second which seems to brighten the dish.

I really enjoyed the soup and your blog. Thank you for the inspiration and I look forward to more great post.